Time element electromagnetic device



May 27, 1952 Filed June 4, 1945 G. H. SYROVY ETAL TIME ELEMENT ELECTROMAGNETIC DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet l May 27, 1952 G. H. sYRovY ETAL TIME ELEMENT ELECTROMAGNETIC DEVICE Filed June 4, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 O .E D. e v ,m

Gerald H. Syrov'y,

Joseph W. Seaman, by ,y EMM-1 Thev` Attorney.

May 27, 1952 G. H. sYRovY ETAL TIME ELEMENT ELECTROMAGNETIC DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed. June 4, 1945 f77, 4 l./ 454642.@ Inventors:

Gerald 5 1. Syrovy, Joseph W. Seaman,

May 27, 1952 G. H. sYRovY ErAL 2,598,463

TIME ELEMENT ELECTROMAGNETIC DEVICE SECONDS TIME .I 00 CURRENT I `io"mal 'currents may occur;

Patented lMay 27, 1952 TIM ELEMENT -ELECTROMAGNETIC 'DEVICE Gerald SyrovyyrSwampscott, Mass., and Josephl W. Seaman, Kennett Square, Pa., assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application datei, 1945, seial No; 597,464

(o1. 2do-108) 9 Claims.

cui invention relates tt improvements in .time element electromagnetic devices and more particularly to improvements in time element electrcihagnetic tripping devices for circuit breakers.

In the control of circuit breakers under. abnorf mal circuit conditions either by rrela-ys or by direct trip devices, a selective or discriminating action Vrbased on current landtime is usually desiable in order total/'oid unnecessary tripping. Thus, for example, viii moto-'r starting a relatively llimg time 'delay in trir'lpingA is nessay to carry the intor tiircilgh the ielativelyjhign current starting "period, such relatively loing time delay is, in general, ysafe nly 'for a comparatively small `range inoverload uir'ent values. "Ori the 'thr hand, whns'ynchifriizing over a relatively large 'range in phase diii'erence, much 'larger ab- The time delay in tripping Ashould accordingly be relatively Short for a` -f'jr'nparatively `large range in abnormal 'currents. For 'faults in the nature of short circuits, ysubstaiitialli'/ instantaneous tripping is desirable.

AS; in Viffie' to provide fault pitetid With maximum continuit-yor service where a plurality "of cicl-iit breakers are arranged in series in a cicuit extending from ag'enerator through abus 'si-etica te areeuet and .thence to` some load such as a meter, the cvecu-ifrnt tripping devices on iii-ie Vau's Circuit breakers inust be' Coordinated ."sd to eil'et the opening of only the circuit breaker nearest the fault. Thus, for a fault `on tlie lead side of the meter circuit breakenonly tl'ls` circuit breaker should open, and for a fault en the feeder, .only the feeder circuit breaker should open. Similarly, for a fault', 'between the feeder circuitbreaker and the bus tie circuit bieaker, only the latter should open, and for a fault betwen the busv tie circuit breaker vand th generator circuit breaker, only the generator circuitbreakershould open.. Y A

YIn order. to accomplish such selective tripping of the different circuit breakers by means of overcurrent tripping devices.the minimum ,operating currents for -these. devicesmustbe so adjusted that each of the circuit breakers4 Qn the linereq-uires less current than the immediately preceding circuitl breaker, that is, the next circuit breaker on the generator side. Also, for any value of current above the minimuml operating value, each circuit breaker must open in less time than the immediately preceding circuit breaker, thatis ,the nextcircuit breaker on -the generator side. Furthermore, inyorderlto minimize theresultant damage to equipment, the operating time of the overcurrent tripv devices should be kept -to 'factory Adiscriminating operation, the currenttime characteristics of the tripping devices of the different circuit breakers must not intersect. Also, the time delay characteristic for the circuit breakernearest the motor load must be such as tcgive relatively long times in order to avoid tripping on the transient inrush current required to start the motor and yet permit substantially instantaneous tripping for fault currents exceeding the transient starting current. In case of a relatively long conductor between the motor circuit 'breaker and the motor, a fault in or near the motor 'may not produce a short circuit current of sufficient magnitude to trip the motor circuit breaker instantaneously. In this case, the long time delay of the trip device associated with the motor circuit breaker will insure the clearance of such faults. To operate selectively withtthe circuit brcak'er nearest the motor, the generator, bus tie and 'feeder circuit breakers must have time :delay tripping. Forcurrents above the instantane'ous trip settingo-f the circuit breaker'nearest the motor, the time delay of the preceding circuit breakers can` be relatively short and need be long enough only to permit operati-on of the preceding circuit breakers, .that is,V the circuit breakers nearer the generator. In the case of a relatively long feeder, it is possible that a fault lon the far end might not produce a short circuit current of suffi-cient magnitude to operate the trip device on the feeder circuit-breaker. vFor this reason, it is desirable to equip the feeder circuit breaker with a time delay device which will also operate on lower `values of current after a relatively long. time delay. Accordingly, the feeder circuit breaker should have both long time delay and short time delay tripping as well as instantaneous tripping at high values of current when required to back upsmaller circuit breakers in a cascade system. In other words, rin order toobtain .the desired selectivity in a set -of series connectedV circuit breakers, at least someof the circuit breakers in such a system must have a Ithree-stage time-current characteristic embodying relatively long time, relatively short time and instantaneous features. V

Some .time element electroresponsive devices have embodied both the instantaneous tripr feature and the short time delay range overcurrent trip '.Eeature...` AAs far as We know, however, such deviceshave too high a minimum pick-up ifor relatively small overloads such as occur in motor starting. Even if such devices i'vere st 4for a lowerl ypick-up, there' Would not be sucient time delay, for example, to carry through the motor starting period. Other time delay electroresponsive devices have embodied the instantaneous trip feature and the long time delay overload trip feature. Such devices are not suitable for coordinated circuit breaker installations because of undesirable time-current characteristics. Devices embodying an instantaneous response and a time`delay overcurrent response have been termed dual overload trips.

An object of ou1` invention is to provide an improved selective long and short time element electromagnetic device having separately adjustable calibrating means for providing a relatively long time of response over a predetermined range of variation of an electric quantity, a relatively short time of response over a contiguous higher predetermined range of variation of the electric quantity embracing higher values thereof, and if desired a substantially instantaneous time of response for still higher values of the quantity. Another object of our invention is to provide an improved time element electromagnetic device which has contiguous relatively long and short time element response characteristic throughout separately adjustable operating ranges. Still another object of our invention is to provide an improved three-stage time element response electromagnetic device which is compact and readily adaptable to existing circuit breakers. 0

A further object of our invention is to provide an improved time element electromagnetic device in which the desired three-stage time element response characteristic is obtained with the use of only one armature. These and other objects of our invention will hereinafter appear in more detail.

In accordance with our invention, we provide an improved selective long and short time element electromagnetic circuit breaker tripping device comprising means capable of separate calibration for eilecting a relatively short time delay in the movement of the tripping member of the device to the tripping position when the winding of the device is energized by currents within a predetermined range of values and a relatively long time delay when the winding is energized by currents below the lower limit of such predetermined range and for permitting a substantially instantaneous movement of the member to its tripping position when the winding is energized by currents above the upper limit of such predetermined range of values.

Our invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying four sheets of drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying four sheets of drawings, Fig. l is a side elevation, partly in section, of a time element electromagnetic device embodying our invention as applied to the tripping of circuit breakers with the armature shown in the unattract'ed position; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l showing the parts as positioned at the end of the relatively long time delay operation; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the parts as positioned at the end of a substantially instantaneous time operation; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. l showing the parts as positioned at the end of a relatively short time delay operation; Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are views, similar respectively to Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4, of a modification of our invention, this modification embodying additional improvements which are disclosed and claimed in the copending application of John A. Oppel, Serial No. 597,465, led concurrently herewith, now Patent No. 2,495,127, January 17, 1950 and assigned to the assignee of this invention; Fig. 9 is a time-current characteristic typical of the modification of our invention shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive; and Fig. 10 is a partial view similar to Fig. l illustrating an intermediate position of certain of the parts during operation from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

For the purpose of illustrating our invention, we have shown embodiments thereof in a time element electromagnetic device as applied to the tripping of a circuit breaker in response to predetermined-conditions of abnormal current ilow through the circuit breaker. As far as our invention is concerned, the particular type of circuit breaker is immaterial, but we have shown parts of an automatic trip-free air circuit breaker such as that disclosed, for example, in United States Letters Patent 2,227,160, issued December 31, 1940. Only such parts as are essential to an understanding of our invention are shown. These parts `are the vmounting base or panel I of suitable insulating material, lower stud 2, lower stationary contact block 3, mechanism frame 4, trip latch 5 pivotally supported on the frame at 6, and spring 'I for biasing the trip latch to the latching position, shown in Fig. l.

The embodiment of our invention, shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, comprises a magnetic core 8, an energizing winding 9 therefor, and an armature IU. In accordance with our invention, we provide suitable separately adjustable means for calibrating the tripping response of the armature to relatively high and low overcurrents together with a relatively short time delay mechanism in the form of an escapement inertia means Il for effecting a relatively short time delay in the movement of the armature I0 to the attracted position when the winding 9 is energized by currents within a predetermined high range of values, in conjunction with a relatively long time delay mechanism embodying means such as a dashpot I2 for effecting a relatively long time delay in the movement of the armature IIJ to the attracted position when the winding 9 is energized by currents in the lower range of values as well as means including a spring I3 for permitting a substantially instantaneous movement of the armature I0 to the attracted position when the winding 9 is energized by current above the upper limit of said range of values. However, in case such instantaneous movement of the armature is not desired, the spring means may be omitted so that only the selective long and short time delay action is obtained. As shown, the winding 9 is arranged around one leg of the core 8 and is connected in series between the lower stud 2 and the lower stationary contact block 3` For effecting the release or tripping movement of the trip latch 5 upon movement of the armature IU to the attracted position, we provide an intermediate latch releasing member such as a lever I4 having a transverse arm I5 pivotally supported at I6 so that the lower portion I1 of the lever extends into the path of movement of a tripping lug I8 secured to the armature for movement therewith. As shown, the upper portion of the lever I 4 is curved to form a shoe I9 which, upon clockwise rotation of the lever as the armature I0 moves to the attracted position, engages the tail of the latch 5 lating the weight 65 in response to movement of the piston rod 43, we provide an operating arm 69 which is pivotally supported at 10 between the legs 40 of the bracket 4I and which is pivotally connected at 1I to the yoke 62 on the piston rod 43. The left-hand or forked -end 12 ofthe operating arm 59 is positioned for movement in a longitudinal slot in the weight 65. The depth of this slot is from the right-hand edge of the weight to substantially its longitudinal center line 13 except at the upper end where the slot goes back to the broken line 13. Y

In the rest-position of the inertia means II, shown in Fig. 1. a pin 15, bridging the slot in the weight 65, bears against the upper point 16 of the forked end 12 of the operating arm 69 ,thus limiting the clockwise movement of the weight. For the purpose of impartingan oscillatory escapement movement to the weight 65 as the arm 69 is moved clockwise, another pin 11, bridging the slot in the weight, is arranged to cooperate with the lower point 18 of the forked end 12 of the arm. Since movement of the armature I to the attracted position turns the operating arm 69 clockwise, the upper and lower points 16 and 18 of the forked end 12 of the arm respectively engage the pins 15 and 11. At the beginningof the movement, as will be apparent from Fig. 1, the upper point 16 of the forked end 12 engages the pin 15, thereby turning the weight65 counterclockwise. As the upper point 16 of the forked end passes the pin 15, the weight 65 has been turned counterclockwise so that the pin 11 en'- gages the lower point 18 of the forked end. The parts are then positioned as shown in Fig. 10. Then on further clockwise movement of the operating arm 69, the engagement of the pin 11 by the lower point 18 opposes the counterclockwise movement of the weight 65 and actually reverses its movement to clockwise as the arm 69 continuesV to the end of its clockwise movement. The parts are then positioned as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

For adjustment purposes to vary the short time delay, the weight 65 may consist of the center slotted piece and one or more side pieces which are secured thereto outside of the arms 61 by suitable means such as screws 14.

In. accordance with our invention, the separately adjustable response calibrating spring 46 is so proportioned and the adjusting head 44 so positioned that, for currents within the variable intermediate short time delay operating range between a predetermined low value and a predetermined high value, the piston rod 43 moves upwardly relatively to the piston `44 under the relatively short time delay of the inertia means Il since the piston 42 is practically held immovable by the relatively slow action of the dashpot. VFor currents less than the low value. the spring 46 does not yield, and the piston 42 and the piston rod 43 move upward as a unit under the bias of the separately adjustable spring 54 that calibrates the lower overcurrent limit of the relatively long dashpot time delay operating range of the armature to the attracted position. For currents exceeding the predetermined high value constituting the upper limit of the variable short time delay overcurrent operating range, the armature IIJl is calibrated to be moved tothe attracted position substantially instantaneously against the bias of the springs I3 and the weight of the parts carried by the U-shaped member 28.

Assuming the parts positioned as shown in Fig. 1 and also that overload current appears in coil 9 below the predetermined low value that constitutes the dividing limit between the contiguous short time operating range and the long time operating range, then the force exerted on the armature I0 to move it to the attracted position will not be sufficient to overcome the bias either of the spring 46 or of the springs I3 and the weight of the parts carried by the bracket 28'. The armature I0 will, however, be attracted with a force sufficient to cause the variable long time delay operating range lower limit Calibrating spring 54 to yield slowly because of the actionof the dashpot l2. As the oil flows through the channel 48 restricted by the needle valve 49, the piston 42 and the parts associated therewith rise to the position shown in Fig. 2 until the armature reaches the attracted position. During this movement of the armature, the lug I8 engages the lower portion I1 of the tripping lever I4, thereby turning this lever clockwise to effect the counterclockwise or releasing movement of the latch 5. The parts are now positioned as shown in Fig. 2. Assoon as the circuit through the circuit breaker is open, the trip coil 9 is, of course, deenergiz'ed, whereupon the armature I9 and associated parts return to the position shown in Fig. l. v

Assuming nowv that the circuit breaker is closed and an overload current appears in the coil 9 of such a magnitude as to stretch the springs I3 and raise the bracket 28 and the parts carried thereby, then, because of the strong magnetic action, the armature IU will move to the attracted position substantially instantaneously since there is no time delay action due to the dashpot I2 and the inertia means II. The parts will then be positioned as shown in Fig. 3.

If, however, the current in the coil 9 is within the short time delay operating range between the predetermined high and low values, then the force on the armatures I0 is suicient to compress the dashpot spring 46 and also stretch the spring 54 without appreciable movement of the piston 42 because of the dashpot drag thereon. and the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 4. In this case, the time delay retardation of the armature I0 is dependent upon the oscillating escapement timing action of the inertia means ll, such retarding action being relatively short, however, in comparison with the time delay action of the dashpot I2.

The modification of our invention shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, diiers from the modication shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, in that the inertia means I I is shock-proof and the mounting for the dashpot I2 and the inertia means is rigid, this latter feature involving other changes which will hereinafter appear. With this rigid mounting, undesirable shock initiated operation, possible with a movable housing, is eliminated.

For supporti-ng the armature I0, escapement II', dashpot I2 and associated parts in the arrangement shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, there is provided a dished plate to which is suitably secured near the left end a short U-shaped bracket 8l and near the right end a long U- shaped bracket 82. The long bracket 82 is suitably secured between the side plates 25 and by the brackets 38 to the circuit breaker frame 4. A pivotal support for the armature I6. such as a pin 24', also passes through the side plates 25 9 and the legs of the short bracket 8| to support the left end of the dished plate 80.

For supporting the short time inertia means Il and the long time dashpot I2 from the dished plate 80, there is provided a U-shaped bracket 4l which is suitably secured to the underside of the plate 80. Thisbracket has depending leg portions 40 and 61' to which the dashpot l2 and the inertia means Il' are suitably attached. As shown, the inertia means H is of the shock-proof double-pawl escapement type comprising an operating arm 69 whichv is pivotally supported at 'l0' between the legs 40 of the bracket 4I. On the free end of the4 opera-ting arm 69', there is a segmental gear 83 which meshes with a. pinion 84 pivotally sup- Portedl at 85 between the bracket legs 61.

Rigidly associated with the pinion 84 for rotation therewith is a ratchet wheel 86 on which rides a double pawl 81 also pivotally supported at 88 between the bracket legs 61. Since, the time action of the escapement Il' is dependent on. the oscillating weightv of the pawl 8"',k the time response of the escapement can be varied by adding to o r removing weight from the pawl or by substituting pawls of different weights,

F017 housing the. escapement l I and the. dashpot, lf2 and providing a. reservoir for the desired `dashpot fluid, a container 21' and an intervening, gasket 8.9 are secured to the dished plate. 80 by suitable means such as screws 9D and bolts 9L, The level of the fluid in the container 21' is indicated by the broken line 5.8.

For controlling the movement of the armature Hl to, the attracted position with. varying degrees QI time, delay dependent upon different ranges of oyercurrent. inthe coil 9, there is. provided a movable member such as a. leverv 9.2 which is pir-votally supported onthe pin 2.4' andwhich has an, upwardly extending arm 93. The lever 9,2 is, connected to the escapement. Il' and the dashpot. `I 2. by a. reciprocable element. comprising thejJistOnv rod 43 and a yoke 94 which has an, adifustably positioned head 9 .5 provided with a. lock nutl 96.v Thev yoke 94. is pivotally secured at 91 t to both the, escapement operating arm 69 and the piston rod. 4,3, andthe head` 95. is. pivotally secured at 98 to the operating lever 92,` With the escapement. I l'v thus connected to the. dashpot Il, itY Will be obvious that the, dashpot. is also rendered shock-proof sinceY any shock tending to rotate, the weighted pawl 8.1 in., either direction will hold the escapernentl and parts attached thereto, against movement. Also, with the, housing,` for the escapement Il and the. dashpot I2 rigidly mounted, undesirable shock initiated operabn. of; the device, possible with. a,l movable housinais eliminated.

1.1.1 the. arrangement shown, the flexible di 2421.113@gmz 9, is secured to` a` suitable circumferential` recess in the yoke 94. Also, the holev in the diaphragmv 559v through which the yoke .94' is' inserted is made materially Smaller than therecessed'; diameter oi the yoke, in order tov provide a bulge or fullness. sufficient to permit the de.- sired movement. of the reciprocable element 945995;

For obtaining time delayed movement of the armature Ill to the attracted position when thee. winding` 9 is energized by current below. a, predetermined high value, a spring I3f is connected between the armature l0 andthe lever;r 92,. For current below such high value,

f thlssplng I3' is essentially such alrigidlmelnber thbtzethey movement oI-'Ithe-armature lli` is'. des

layed by the escapement Il' for currents be tween said predetermined high value and a predetermined low value, and for currents less than the low value, the armature is delayed by both the dashpot I2 and the escapement Il'. Inasmuch, however, as the delay due to the escapement Il.' is quite small in comparison with the delay due to the dashpot I2, the time of movement of the armature to the attracted position for currents lessthan the low value is not. materally ailected by the escapement II.

The spring 4.6 is so positioned and the head 44 is so adjusted that, for currents within the range .between the low and high values, the piston rod 43 moves upward relatively to the piston 42v under the relatively shortv delay due to the escapement. H. since the piston 42 is held practically immovable by the relatively slow action of the dashpot I2. For currents less than, the ylow value, the spring 46 does not yield, and the, piston 42 and the piston rod 43 move upward as. a unit to provide the relatively long dashpot time delay in` the. movement of the armature to the at.- tracted position.A The lower limit of the current pick-up for the long time delay response of the armature I0( is determined by suitable yielding means such as a spring 54' which isconnected between the arm 93, of the lever 92 and a pin 55.' As shown, this pin projects through a vertical slot. in a scale plate 56' and can', be clamped in dinerent positions thereon vby a cap nut 51' to vary the tension in the spring 5,4" andv thereby the low currentl pick-up oi the armature l0. Thel scale plate 56, may conveniently be, mounted on an insulating support 99 which is secured to the long U-shaped bracket 82. Although, both springs 46 and 54' have to be overcome in the esc'apement delay response of the armature l0, the additional amount of force required' to stretch the spring` 54 is relatively small in comparison with the force required to compress the spring 46.

For adjusting. the' instantaneous pick-up or ref. sponse of the; armature In, a yoke Hilll is movably positioned on the lug I8' with its arms over a slot I 'Dl in the lug. The upper en d of the spring |3- passes through the sloty |01 and holes in-y the' yoke arms. At the upper end, the yoke is, provided with an'adjustingscrewv I02 which` is threaded into the yoke |00 and bears against a recess in the upper edge ofthe lug I'8. In order to. prevent undesired movement oi the; adjusting screw |02, a lock nut H13 and washer |1141 may be'. provided.

In` order to prevent false movements of the armature Ilil about its axis oi*l rotation 24' to.- the attracted position in consequence of'shocks, the armature may be dynamically balanced in its plane of.l rotation` by counterweightsy |05' such that the, pivot 2.4" extends through the: center of gravity of the mass of the armature and the weights.

9 illustrates a typical. time-current` characteristic obtainable with a time element, electromagnetic device such as that illustrated` in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusiveand as it may be. adjusted fora' circuit breaker rated 600 amperes carrying capacity. In this Fig. 9, the' coordinates along each` axis are plotted on a logarithmic basis. It will be observed that forcurrents from about 1200 amperes to about 2400 amperes, that is. two to four times normal, the timedelay varies from about 1000 second'sdown to -5 seconds, i. e. point y b; but from about 24'00 ampres to 10,000- amperes, that' is, four to. seventeen times normal, the time delay varies from' about-0'.8 second, iLe-L point a, down to about 0.1 second; and for all currents in excess of 10,000 amperes, the time delay is about 0.06 second, that is, practically instantaneous.

` Assuming the parts position as shown in Fig. and also that overload current appears in the coil 9 below, for example, the 1200 ampere value,

'then neither the spring I3 nor the spring 46 will have exerted thereon, by the attraction on the armature, a force sufficient to cause either of them to yield. The armature I0 will, however, be attracted with a force suiiicient to cause the spring 54' to yield slowly because of the action of the dashpot I2. As the oil iiows through the channel 48 restricted by the valve 49, the piston 42 and the parts associated therewith rise to the position shown in Fig. 6 until the armature I0 reaches the attracted position. During this movement of the armature, the lug I8 engages the lower portion Il of the lever I4, thereby turning this lever clockwise to effect the counterclockwise or releasing movement of the latch 5. The parts are now positioned as shown in Fig. 6. As soon as the circuit through the circuit breaker .is open, the trip coil 9 is, of course, deenergized whereupon the armature I0 and associated parts .return to the position shown in Fig. 5.

Assuming now that the circuit breaker is closed and an overload current appears in the coil 9 of such a magnitude, for example above 10,000 amperes, as to stretch the spring I3", then the armature I0 will move to the attracted position substantially instantaneously because 0f the drag due to the dashpot I2 and the escapement II'. The parts will then be positioned as shown in Fig.7.

If, however, the current in the coil 9 is within the range between a predetermined low value, for example 2400 amperes, and a predetermined high value, for example 10,000 amperes, then the force on the armature I0 is suicient to compress the dashpot spring 46 and also stretch the spring 54 without appreciable movement of the piston 42 because of the dashpot drag thereon. The parts will then be positioned as shown in Fig.. 8. In this case, the delay of the armature I0 is dependent on the timing action of the escapement mechanism II, such timing action being relatively small in comparison with the time delay long time delay operation is minimized since the motion of the piston 42 is very slow. Also, since the escapement II inherently tends quickly to stop the moving parts as soon as the actuating force of the flux produced by the coil 9 ceases, any tendency to overshoot during the short time delay responses is minimized. In addition to these features, the moving parts are relatively light in weight and therefore have little inertia.

While we have shown and described our invention in considerable detail, we do not desire to be limited to the exact arrangements shown, but seek to cover in the appended claims all those modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination, a circuit breaker movable tripping member having overcurrent responsive operating means including a movable armature, a short time delay mechanism having an operating connection with the armature for retarding the tripping movement thereof in a relatively high overcurrent tripping range, means including an adjustable spring havingv one end connected with the short time delay mechanism for varying the lower limit of said relatively high overcurrent range upon adjustment of the spring, a long time delay mechanism having a connection with the other end of the spring to eiect yielding thereof during the operation of the short time delay mechanism and to effect operation of the long time delay mechanism to retard the tripping movement of the armature means in a relatively low overcurrent tripping range, and means including an independently adjustable spring having a connection with the armature for independently varying the lower limit of said relatively low overcurrent tripping range upon independent adjustment of the spring.

2. In combination, a circuit breaker movable tripping member having overcurrent responsive electromagnetic operating means including a movable armature, a short time delay oscillating escapement mechanism having operating connections with the armature for retarding the tripping movement thereof in a relatively high overcurrent range, means including a separately adjustable spring having one end connected with the short time delay mechanism for varying the lower limit of the said relatively high overcurrent range upon adjustment of the spring, a long time delay dashpot having a piston connected with the other end of the spring to effect yielding thereof during the operation of the short time delay mechanism and to effect operation of the piston to retard the tripping movement of the armature in a relatively low overcurrent tripping range, and means including an independently adjustable spring having a connection with the armature for varying the lower limit of said relatively low overcurrent range upon independent adjustment of the spring.

3. In combination, a circuit breaker movable tripping member, an overcurrent responsive electromagnet having movable magnetic armature means for operating the tripping member and provided with separately adjustable restraining springs for Calibrating the tripping response of the armature means to relatively low and relatively high overcurrents, a long time delay dashpot mechanism having a rectilinearly movable piston provided with a relatively movable piston rod having resilient operating connections with the armature means to retard the tripping movement thereof upon response of the armature means to relatively 10W overcurrents, and a short time delay mechanism having a centrally pivoted oscillating escapement inertia member provided with operating connections with the piston rod to retard the relative movement thereof upon response of the armature means to relatively high overcurrents.

4. In combination, a circuit breaker movable tripping member, an overcurrent responsive electromagnet having a movable armature provided with means for operating the tripping member,

, means including an adjustable restraining spring low4 overcurrent range, a short time delay escapelmentl mechanism having connections with the armature for retarding the tripping movement tjerecf upon response ofthe armature in a contguous higher overcurrent range, a separately adjustable restraining spring having one end vccnnectedy with the short time delay escapement mechanism for varying the limit between said ranges upon adjustment l' the spring, and having a long time delay dashpot mechanism connected with the other end of the spring for retarding the tripping movement of the armature upon response thereof in the relatively low overcurrent range.

5. In combination, a circuit breaker movable tripping member having an overcurrent responsive operating means including a movable armature, a short time delay mechanism having operating connections with the armature for retarding the tripping movement thereof in a relatively high overcurrent tripping range, said connections including a spring for yielding to effect unretarded movement of the armature when the current exceeds the upper limit of the relatively high overcurrent tripping range, means including a separately adjustable spring having one end connected with the short time delay mechanism for varying the lower limit of said relatively high overcurrent range upon adjustment of the spring, and a long time delay mechanism having a connection with the other end of the spring to retard the tripping movement of the armature in a relatively low overcurrent tripping range with a time delay varying inversely with the current value Within the limits of the range, and an independently adjustable spring having a connection with the armature for independently varying the lower limit of the relatively low overcurrent tripping range upon independent adjustment oi the spring.

6. In combination, a circuit breaker movable tripping member having overcurrent responsive operating means including a movable armature, a short time delay mechanism having an operating connection with the armature means for retarding the tripping movement thereof with a time delay varying inversely with the current value within the limits of the range, said connections including a spring for yielding to render the short time delay mechanism ineffective when the current exceeds the upper limit of the relatively high overcurrent tripping range, means including an adjustable calibrating spring having one end connected with the short time delay mechanism for varying the lower limit of the relatively high overcurrent range and having a longtime delay mechanism connected with the other end of the calibrating spring to retard the tripping movement of the armature in a relatively low overcurrent tripping range with a time delay varying inversely with the variations in current value between the limits of the relatively low overcurrent tripping range, and an independently adjustable spring having a connection with the armature for independently varying the lower limit of said relatively low overcurrenttripping range.

7. Means for controlling the attraction of the hinged armature of a current responsive electromagnet comprising an adjustable spring restraining the armature in the unattracted position until the current exceeds a predetermined value, a long time delay dashpot mechanism having a piston provided with a separately adjust- CTI able springconnection with the armature to retard the. movement thereof-to the attracted pesiticn unless the spring connection yieldsvv at.k a predetermined higher .currentvalua a shorttime delay mechanism having anoscillating escapement member provided with an operatingr connection with the yielding part: of: the springconnection to retard the movement of thearmatllre to the attracted position when the spring connection yields, a movable support for both said dashpot mechanism and said escapement mechanism mounted for movement about the hinge axis of the armature, and a calibrating spring for preventing pivotal movement of the support until the electromagnet is energized by current exceeding a predetermined maximum value.

8. In combination, a circuit breaker movable tripping member, an overcurrent responsive electromagnet having a movable armature for operating the tripping member, a short time delay mechanism having an operating member connected with the armature for retarding the tripping movement of the armature in a relatively high overcurrent tripping range, means including a separately adjustable calibrating spring having one end connected with said operating member for varying the lower limit of said relatively high overcurrent range and having a long time delay mechanism connected with the other end of the calibrating spring to operate the long time delay mechanism to retard the tripping movement of the armature in a relatively low overcurrent tripping range, and an independently adjustable calibrating spring having a connection with said operating member for independently varying the lower limit of the relatively low overcurrent tripping range.

9. Means for controlling the attraction of the hinged armature of an overcurrent responsive electromagnet comprising an adjustable calibrating spring for restraining the armature in the unattracted position until the electromagnet is energized by current above a predetermined value, a long time delay dashpot mechanism having a piston provided with operating connections with the armature to retard the attraction thereof, said connections including a spring adjustable for yielding when the electromagnet is energized by a current above a predetermined higher value, and a short time delay mechanism having an oscillating escapement member operatively connected with the yielding part of the connection spring to retard the attraction of the armature upon yielding of said spring, and means including a sealed casing pivoted coaxially with the hinge axis of the armature for movably mounting both said long time delay mechanism and said short time delay mechanism therein for joint pivotal movement with the armature when the electromagnet is energized by a predetermined maximum current.

GERALD H. SYROVY.

JOSEPH W. SE'AMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,123,288 Hellmund Jan. 5, 1915 1,216,570 Hohn Feb. 20, 191'? 1,250,746 Wolff Dec. 18, 1917 (Other references on following page) Numberl 15 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Simon Feb. 10, 1920 Miller Mar. 27, 1927 Dudley Feb. 12, 1929 Stevens Dec. 3, 1929 Ashbaugh June 1'7, 1930 Dyer Nov. 10, 1936 Number 

